A group of House Republicans broke ranks with party leadership on Tuesday, dealing an embarrassing blow to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
The rebellion came in response to Johnson’s effort to block a vote on allowing proxy voting for new parents—a bipartisan proposal designed to give lawmakers up to 12 weeks to vote remotely after the birth or adoption of a child.
Rather than fall in line, several Republicans sided with Democrats, effectively stopping Johnson’s maneuver and throwing a wrench into other GOP priorities scheduled for the day.
The move highlights growing fractures within the party, particularly as younger members push for more family-friendly reforms in an institution slow to change.
Johnson has actively opposed a bipartisan proposal that would allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks after the birth of a child. This initiative, introduced by Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.), aims to modernize congressional procedures to, in their view, better accommodate family responsibilities.
The Hill has additional details:
The revolt escalates the battle over proxy voting into a full-blown legislative war as Republicans grapple with arguments over constitutionality, supporting families, and how much power GOP leaders have over the House floor in the historically slim majority.
Nine Republicans — led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) — joined with all Democrats in voting against the procedural rule, enough opposition for it to fall short in a 206-222 vote. The failed vote allows Luna to force action on her bill, but prevents the chamber from debating and voting on two unrelated measures, bringing key legislative business to a standstill.
Those measures would limit the power of federal judges and require proof of citizenship to vote.
Luna earlier on Tuesday made a privileged motion — enabled by her discharge petition — to bring a vote on the proxy voting for new parents matter. Without being able to thwart it, leadership will have to take action on the matter within two legislative days.
The vote is a major victory for Luna, who after facing resistance from GOP leadership and members of the House Freedom Caucus, resigned from the caucus Monday night, citing a breakdown in mutual respect and core values.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
READ NEXT: Vance Issues Hardcore Response After Team Trump Admits To ‘Error’
Oh sigh! Gone are the days when a woman birthed a baby and went back out to hoe the garden. Or even 60 years ago when you birthed a baby and spent 4-5 days in the hospital then resumed taking care of the household and three other toddlers. Or 30 years ago when you birthed a baby and were sent home the next day and went back to work or school in two weeks. Now, there is a too lengthy maternity leave of months, a paternity leave of months and likely a pet-ternity leave to get used to having to share your owners with a new little person. With today’s transportation systems…there is really no reason for anything other than a normal healing process…to go vote on crucial issues affecting the nation. If I was to ask for anything, it would be a nursery or pre-school daycare on the Capitol Grounds, then get back to work; that’s why you were elected.
If you take the job of a representative of the people after being elected which is those people putting their trust in YOU, there should be nothing short of being in the hospital dying that keeps you from voting in person. That means new Moms, too. Should have thought of that before running for office.
Twelve weeks is three months holding up a vote because you had a baby. Make a law so you can phone in your vote and don’t hold back Congress from actually getting something done.
I should have put in the law you actually have to just had a baby to be able to phone in a vote.
It’s a matter of priorities. If having kids is more important than serving in office quit the job. I am tired of people who want their cake and eat it too. Serving in Congress is an honor and a responsibility. Take it or leave it!
Vote out the Republicans that voted for proxy voting.